The total value of retail sales in July, provisionally estimated at $31 billion, was up 4.5% compared with the same month a year earlier, the Census & Statistics Department said today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales represents a 2.3% year-on-year increase.

Online sales accounted for 9.1% of the total retail sales value in July. Provisionally estimated at $2.8 billion, the value of this segment rose 9.5% from the same month a year earlier.

The value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased 19.7% in July 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

There were also increases in the following categories: consumer goods not elsewhere classified (up10.5%); commodities in supermarkets (up 0.3%); medicines and cosmetics (up 7.3%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (up 11.5%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (up 1.7%); commodities in department stores (up 0.5%); and optical shops (up 1.8%).

Meanwhile, the value of sales of wearing apparel dropped 1.8% in July 2026 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (down 2.8%); motor vehicles and parts (down 18.2%); fuels (down 18.0%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (down 0.3%); furniture and fixtures (down 2.4%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (down 13.7%).

The Government said that retail sales growth momentum remained resilient in July, marking the 15th consecutive month of expansion. Consumer spending continued to shift toward digital channels with stronger online retail sales growth.

Looking ahead, the Government said that continued economic expansion, rising household incomes and stable labour market conditions should bolster consumer sentiment. A series of upcoming mega-events is also expected to sustain growth in visitor arrivals, providing further support to retail businesses.